I didn't actually like Hong Kong, which was weird because I thought I'd really like it. I always have wanted to go, but once I actually got there, I didn't dig it.
First off, Hong Kong's really HOT. I'm in Korea right now, and it's hell here, too, but Hong Kong's slightly worse. They have AC everywhere though, and so inside, it's FREEZING.
Second, it's like a really crowded London with lots of yellow people. Sometimes, that's kinda cool though. Their MTR, the equivalent of the Tube, says "Mind the gap" at every stop.
Third, the people don't speak English. I thought they would since everyone I've met from Hong Kong speaks English perfectly and one of my old coworkers grew up in Hong Kong and didn't speak any Chinese. Perhaps I had bad luck, but the taxi drivers didn't know English and a few refused to take me to my hotel because they couldn't read English and I didn't have the address in Chinese. And a lot of the people on the street couldn't read English and couldn't give me directions. And the people little stores didn't speak English either. I'm sure if you actually live in Hong Kong and get your bearings and spend most of your time in those huge office parks, you don't run into the locals who don't speak English, but I had a difficult time getting around which wasn't fun.
Fourth, the first place I booked to stay was TERRIBLE! I thought I'd be all frugal and stay in some cheap "guesthouse," which turns out to be Cantonese for "prison cell in a shady looking slum." I got really drunk so I could get some sleep and then checked out the next day.
Fifth, SO CROWDED. And being Asian, I felt like I was just swept into the crowd of the masses of Chinese people. I felt like Waldo.
Still, not everything was bad. I actually had a decent time. I got in HK late on Monday night and checked out the Temple Street Night Market, which wasn't great since all the stuff there I know you can get in mainland for much cheaper and since I'll be in Shanghai at the end of the month, there wasn't any point in buying anything.
Then I ended up meeting this British couple, Claire and Ben, in the prison hotel and we went downstairs to the pub for some pints. Turned out Claire was working on a project on women traveling alone, and so I participated and gave her an interview, which was actually really funny since I had a couple. It made me realize that I've had some adventures. ;D
The next day, I ran away from prison hotel and checked into a proper hotel that cost way more and wasn't that great either, but at least didn't make me feel like Paris Hilton. And then did some shopping in Time Square and then went to the Peak and rode the Peak Tram to the top.
The Peak Tram...takes forever to find and there's a huge queue.
The mountain's really steep. Feels like you're on a roller coaster and you're gonna drop any moment.
Victoria Harbor
Someone's dirty laundry hanging out to dry. It must suck living next to a tourist attraction.
The homes up here are actually some of the most expensive in all of Hong Kong, but look at this amazing house that everyone can just look into.
And even my crappy camera's zoom can see Mr. Hong Kong Superstar walking around in his backyard. I was having a stalker/papparazzi moment.
The other side of Hong Kong Island without all the tall buildings and stuff. I actually like it better. Hong Kong would have been such a great beach tourist destination if it weren't for the huge city built here by the damn British. It has the most beautiful natural landscape with the mountains and the archipelago of little islands. And it's so hot and if it weren't for the smog and pollution, it'd be perfect beach climate.
Me in Hong Kong.
Then I made it back down the mountain and went shopping at the Landmark plaza. Hong Kong's such a great shopping city. They have every store known to man. It's a bit redundant, but they literally have EVERYTHING. American, European, Australian, and Asian companies are all present here. They even have a Harvey Nicks! Also, there isn't any sales tax so things are really cheap here. I looked, but I didn't buy. I haven't indulged my handbag addiction for awhile now. When you're travelling like I am, everything just becomes baggage and you want to travel light. Also, in London, there wasn't really any point of designer bags. They aren't the required status symbol they are in Los Angeles. I did see a Marc Jacobs I kinda fancied, but I decided against it. I go back to Hong Kong after Seoul anyhow.
After the shops closed, I wandered around Hong Kong following the crowds of people walking on the elevated people bridges or whatever they're called that link all the big buildings together in Wan Chai. I got lost but I ended up at Wan Chai harbor and then wandered some more. Some pictures:
1 comment:
Mmm weird. I was in Hk and everyone spoke English with me even I replied in cantonese.
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